Micrometers

[Kevin54]

Is a micrometer with a lock necessary or essential for engine rebuilding use?

tks

Not necessary but handy at times

 

[mrholeshot]

Mitutoyo don't hold a candle to Starrett. But if that's what you can afford then that's what you have to go with.

I use Starrett Mics and absolutly disagree with that statement. I find Mitutoyo just as good as Starrett. My starretts are getting a few years on them. If I had to replace them I wouldn't hesitate to use Mitutoyo

 

[mrholeshot]

Is a micrometer with a lock necessary or essential for engine rebuilding use?

tks

not essential but often very time saving in some cases

 

[JayL]

The local dealer I went to today let me borrow one of their Mitutoyo 0-25mm .01mm res demo unit to try out myself. Looks like it's very good quality and really much better looking and heftier than the NSKs I checked before.

This came with a Ratchet Stop but the manual recommends getting the Friction Thimble. This is what it says.

" The friction thimble has a device for a constant measuring force inside the thimble. The friction thimble features that it will produce a constant measuring force irrespective of operator's practice of operation. It is recommended to use friction thimble to ensure highest measuring accuracy without human error. "

So which one do you guys/gals prefer to use - Ratchet Stop or Friction Thimble.

Thanks

 

[Kevin54]

I never use the friction thimble. All of my mics I have a feel for. It is something that you aquire after years of use. But then again, my mics are Starretts that I bought used 30+ years ago.

 

[dwm]

It's largely about which you're accustomed to, and then being consistent. Between a typical friction thimble and ratchet stop, I'd pick a friction; a ratchet stop knob is more crude and hence less accurate in the wrong hands. Mitotoyu makes many models with a ratchet/friction thimble that I like for most of my uses. Works like a friction thimble, but clicks like a ratchet.

Of course there are times when I want a plain thimble. Depends on what you're doing, but I can't really recommend a plain thimble to someone who hasn't spent a decent amount of time with micrometers. I'm not completely competent with mine but on some parts they're the best tool.